Any suggestions on how I can bring $5000 to Singapore?

Question

I'm having my credit cards cancelled here in the Philippines before I leave. Would this amount be good enough for someone who will be out looking for work for let's say about 3-4 months? I will have to pay for food, lodging, transpo, internet rental etc ...

But I'd like to know how I can bring it? All in cash??? They don't permit people to open bank accounts without an employment pass. I also don't know anyone in Singapore.

Answer 1

Yes you can bring that $5000 US dollars in here. no problem at the airport immigration in the Phils or Singapore. That's enough money to survive for that period of time (3-4 months). Have it change here in Singapore the rate of US$ to SG$ is better here, unlike in the Philippines.

Just bring your money with you inside a back pack, dont leave it even at your hotel. Carry your money all the time. Bag snatching is almost non existent here in Singapore. Criminals don't simply have the balls to do it.

The good thing about this country is when you go to supermarket, MRT, or any malls, you don't need to leave your bag to the guard or counter. So you're money is safe with you all the time.

internet rental here in Singapore will cost you SG$2 per 30 minutes. That's 60 pesos per half an hour at LUCKY PLAZA.
This is at Orchard road. Go down Orchard Road MRT station.
Lucky Plaza is the Little Philippines of Singapore. This is the meeting place of Filipinos in Singapore.

There is Metrobank in this mall, at the 3rd floor, but I'm not sure if you can open a regular Metrobank savings account here.

Lots of money changer in Lucky Plaza also that gives good exchange rate. Good Luck.

Answer 2

Question is how to bring $5000 to Singapore. Well you have to separate it into two or three groups. It is legal right. But from the experience of government personal. They wll try to con you out of something if they think they can con you. So by dividing them it would be less to attract an attention. If you will be paying for lodging, food, tranportation. I think it will not be enough. But if you can do something about your lodging, meaning taking out lodging then it would be enough. Let me give you an example.

USD5000 will be approximately SD 7500.
Let's say 1 meal an average of SD10, 3 meals will be SD30. This will give you a good size meal.
30 x 30 days = SD900 x 4 months. This will be roughly about SD 3600.
Transportation let's say about SD10 per day for 24 days in a month. That would be 240 x 4 months = SD960.
Other expenses about internet, sometimes extra meals. about SD200 x 4 months = 800

3600+960+800 = 5360 - 7500 (you have) = SD2140

With SD 2140 for 4 months I think you can't find a lodging of SD 500 per month. Meaning a self own rental aprtment.

So find connection first or bring more money before going.

Yes you can say but you will be looking for jobs there. Good if you can find one right away. Then I would say USD 5000 will be more than enough. But let's look on the negative sides. If you you not be able to find one right away. It's okay if you have friend there if not. How will you cope with no money at that moment.

Answer 3

Bringing it in is no problem, maintaining it is. You don't want to have that much cash in your room or on your person all the time. Check with HSBC Bank in the RP see what they suggest. Ideally, you could use an ATM card for your RP account but the withdrawal charges can be terrible. Check on a Debit card connected with Master or Visa.

Your best bet would be to rent an HDB room for about 300 to 400 per month. You can eat in the Hawker Stalls for $3 to $5. If you stay with friends you may not be able to afford the rent.

After 14 or 28 days you'll also have to convert your initial social visa to the visa that allows you to stay up to 6 months to find a job. Be sure to bring certified copies of all your documents and transcripts.

Good Luck

Answer 4

you can bring up to $10,000.00 dollars out of the philippines. could you survive with $5,000.00 dollars for three to four months? that would really depend on how thrifty are you as a person. if you have filipino friends in singapore with an apartment and a room to spare then i think you would be fine, if not then it won't last long.**

Answer 5

That would only be around 7,500 SGD. If you have friends you can stay with (for free), I'm sure you'd survive.

Make sure you buy the EZ-link card which you can use for MRT (trains) and buses.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Bank-to-Bank trasfer, if you got a Singaporean bank then its possible.



wink-wink, biz-penguin

Answer 7

Put it in your wallet dude..